Chapter 323

All six were on guard, staring fixedly at the spatial rift before them.

In an instant, a spirit vessel slowly emerged from the spatial rift.

The hull of the spirit vessel was carved with many floral patterns, the flowers seeming to dance upon it, lifelike.

Upon the spirit vessel flew a banner inscribed with the character "Flower," fluttering in the wind.

At the prow of the spirit vessel stood a young man in the lead, wearing a purple brocade robe embroidered with peony patterns, the peonies on the robe seeming about to burst forth from his body.

His features were somewhat delicate, his eyes narrow and long like willow leaves, his lips slightly thick like cherries, and he held a peony blossom in his hand.

He lightly curled the corners of his mouth, smiling gently at Yuan Yao and the others, his smile like warm spring sunshine, warm and soothing.

Beside him were two people: one a gray-robed elder with half-white hair, the other a middle-aged man with a full beard.

They emanated a restrained yet powerful aura.

The two beside the young man were very strong.

Seeing them so wary, the young man slowly spoke: "Did I frighten you?"

His voice was somewhat thin and sharp, sounding like a woman's.

【Target person Hua Chengyan, Awakening Value reached 0.】The voice of the 250 System echoed within Yuan Yao's sea of consciousness.

"Who are you?" Cang Li said.

"My apologies." Hua Chengyan gave a slight smile, "I am Hua Chengyan, the young sect master of the Flower Sect, the foremost sect of the Eighth Continent."

Having said that, he looked at the six opposite, but saw that their expressions had not changed much.

"It's like this, I, Hua, possess the other half of the Eighth Continent's treasure map, so…"

"Wait a moment!" Xiao Lingwei interrupted, her eyes icy as she fixed her gaze on Hua Chengyan and demanded sharply: "Did you go to rob the Ao clan's tomb?"

Hua Chengyan heard this, nodded after a beat: "Yes."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingwei's face grew even colder; she reached for the long whip at her waist, about to act, but then heard Hua Chengyan hastily explain.

"Miss, please hold your hand. Although we entered the Ao clan tomb, we did not damage their tomb, and we also placed a restrictive seal upon it to protect it, so that those who wish to dig up the tomb and seize the treasure map cannot enter."

Hua Chengyan wore a kind smile: "We know the Ao clan members are in your Carefree Sect, so our Flower Sect is willing to offer ten thousand top-grade spirit stones as compensation."

Saying this, he slightly turned his head and glanced at the middle-aged man with the full beard.

The middle-aged man immediately produced a storage ring and tossed it toward Xiao Lingwei opposite.

Xiao Lingwei raised her hand and caught it.

Hua Chengyan had been speaking softly all along: "Then please, Miss, help us pass this on to the Ao clan people."

Xiao Lingwei probed the storage space with her divine sense, scanning it once, then immediately lifted her head and made eye contact with Yuan Yao and the others.

Indeed, there were ten thousand top-grade spirit stones.

Cang Li chuckled: "Young Sect Master Hua, you are indeed generous."

Hua Chengyan laughed lightly: "It's only proper."

Cang Li said: "It seems the location of this treasure map indeed draws people like moths to a flame."

Hua Chengyan said: "To be frank, this treasure map's location holds something I desire. As for what I desire, you fellow cultivators have already obtained it, so there is no conflict of interest between us."

"Heavenly Pride Token?" Yuan Yao said.

"Yes." Hua Chengyan nodded.

Cang Li said: "It appears you had already investigated us before coming."

Hua Chengyan did not deny it.

He spoke again: "I, Hua, am in urgent need of the other half of the treasure map; if possible, you fellow cultivators could sell it to me at the same price, or we could each produce half a map and go together to the treasure site in the Eighth Continent."

【Ding! Detected that an unknown number of target individuals will appear at the Eighth Continent treasure site; please, host, proceed to the Eighth Continent treasure site to complete the conquest mission.】

Yuan Yao lifted her gaze to Hua Chengyan and said: "Please, Fellow Cultivator Hua, give us a moment to discuss."

Hua Chengyan's eyes fell upon Yuan Yao's exceedingly beautiful face, and he nodded: "Very well."

The two spirit vessels drifted apart slightly in midair.

The middle-aged man with the full beard whispered: "Young Master, why don't we just seize it outright?"

With his and the Grand Elder's strength, it would be enough to snatch the other half of the treasure map from them.

Hua Chengyan suddenly produced an exquisite small bronze mirror, examined his reflection carefully for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Ninth Uncle, have you perhaps forgotten who they are?"

The middle-aged man called Ninth Uncle's expression froze slightly.

The Flower Sect Grand Elder said: "The Young Master is right; there's no need to make a powerful enemy of ourselves over half a treasure map."

"Any problem that can be solved with spirit stones isn't a problem." Hua Chengyan put away the bronze mirror.

The reason our Flower Sect could become the foremost sect in the Eighth Continent is not only due to our sect's overall strength and foundation, but also because the Hua clan possesses outstanding business acumen.

Our Flower Sect is the wealthiest sect in the Eighth Continent and also the one with the most abundant resources.

Therefore, countless cultivators wish to join our Flower Sect.

Our Flower Sect recruits cultivators of extraordinary talent, gives them the finest resources, and has nurtured batch after batch of powerhouses.

Whether in resources or overall strength, our Flower Sect is unquestionably the leading power.

Moreover, our Flower Sect has dozens of branch sects.

Ninth Uncle, however, did not quite agree with Hua Chengyan's approach: "Our Flower Sect has two great immortals; why should we fear Thousand Jewel Mountain? Everyone says Thousand Jewel Mountain is formidable, but it may not actually be that strong."

"Ninth Uncle." Hua Chengyan spoke a warning.

Upon hearing this, Ninth Uncle fell silent.

At that moment, the Grand Elder said: "That Nie Bai brat also came, but he brought the Nie clan people away in disgrace."

"The Nie clan is declining more and more." Hua Chengyan only said: "Nowadays the Nie clan can rely only on Nie Bai to prop it up."

The Grand Elder evaluated: "Nie Bai's cultivation talent is indeed very high."

After a pause, the Grand Elder added: "I heard that a few days ago, the Formless Immortal took on another female disciple."

Hua Chengyan slightly raised an eyebrow and asked, "What name do you go by?"

"Lu Xiang."

Hua Chengyan had not heard that name before, "What status does she have?"

"Couldn't find any," the Elder shook his head.

Hearing this, Hua Chengyan said nothing more.

Since Lu Xiang's identity was not uncovered, it proved that the Unmanifest Immortal Lord had erased her past traces, deliberately protecting his new disciple.

Hua Chengyan lifted his eyes toward the spiritual boat ahead and saw the six of them gathered together discussing.

"Yuan Yao, you want to go to the Eighth Continent?" Xiao Lingwei read her thoughts.

Yuan Yao nodded.

Xiao Lingwei said, "Twelve days later will be your birthday; if you go to the Eighth Continent, everything will head toward the unknown, so we may not be able to celebrate your birthday."